Several additional powered flights are set to take place – expanding the spaceships powered flight envelope – ahead of the “realistic goal” of suborbital test flight by the end of the year.

As such, Virgin Galactic believe the addition of new pilots will enable the company to meet the test schedule demands and prepare for subsequent commercial operations.

They will join up with Mark Stucky and Mike Alsbury – test pilots for SS2′s designers, Scaled Composites – who piloted the recent powered flight over the Mojave desert.

Masucci joins Virgin Galactic from XOJET Inc, a private airline company where he was a Citation X (CE750) Captain and Check Airman, and has more than 30 years of civilian and military operational and test flying experience with more than 9,000 flight hours in over 70 different airplane and glider types.

The former U-2 combat pilot also instructed in the F-16, T-38 and glider aircraft at the USAF Test Pilot School, while also serving as a Branch Chief. As a U-2 test pilot he was instrumental in the development and testing of the aircraft’s glass cockpit and power upgrade programs. In addition, Masucci has commanded USAF developmental and operational test units, as well as combat and training units.

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“Virgin Galactic is truly a world-class organization with unique flight opportunities that you just wont find anywhere else,” Masucci said. “Im proud to be a part of this team and look forward to contributing to this revolutionary program.”

Former TOP GUN attendee Sturckow has more than 26 years of military flight experience, logging over 6,500 flight hours in more than 60 different aircraft.

However, he is best known for logging 1,200 hours in space via four Shuttle missions. He becomes Virgin Galactic’s first astronaut in their pilot corps.

He then went on to serve as deputy chief of NASAs Astronaut Office for the final shuttle missions, flying weather reconnaissance in the T-38 and Shuttle Training Aircraft for launch and landing, before retiring from NASA.

“Viewing the Earth from space is such a unique and unforgettable experience,” Sturckow added. “I’m excited to be a part of the Virgin Galactic team that is revolutionizing access to space, making this opportunity a possibility for all.”

Masucci and Sturckow will report to Chief Pilot David Mackay and Vice President of Operations Mike Moses at Virgin Galactics Mojave location, where they will conduct flight training and testing with Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles.

“I am pleased to have these two incredibly accomplished pilots join us during this important time as we embark on a series of important rocket-powered flight tests for SpaceShipTwo, ultimately testing the vehicle in space,” said Virgin Galactic President and CEO George Whitesides.

“Their collective experience and outstanding performance in various demanding environments will make them invaluable assets to the Virgin Galactic team.”